According to a press release sent out by the team to promote the upcoming RedsFest event “over 70 current and former Reds players, coaches, and broadcasters are scheduled to appear.” And as Fay notes, Phillips isn’t on the list.

Telling of what though? Telling that he’s pissed at the team for making public that he was available? Or that his feelings are so hurt that he won’t do this for the team/fans? Or is it that they told him he won’t be a Red by the time of Redsfest. I’d say this tells us nothing when the player is as emotional/moody as BP.

What’s your basis for assuming that this is a function of the player’s hurt feelings & not a team decision? All we have suggests the latter, not the former: he’s not on the festivities roster & he’s stated that he won’t be there unless permitted.

Listened to Phil Castellini on the radio today. He’s in charge of RedsFest and all the other “fan friendly” things. He made it pretty damn clear that if it were up to him Brandon would be there because he’s a huge draw for fans. That tells me it’s not up to the Reds.

yahmule - Dec 3, 2013 at 11:37 AM

“Okay, everybody who’s going to the RedsFest take one step forward. Not so fast, Brandon…”

By danced this dance before, you mean you sent us an over-aged Scott Rolen and we sent back a home run masher in Edwin Encarnacion? That worked out well for the Reds for 1 year, but since then not so much.

True, but on the other hand, if you’re Cincy and you pondered trading him at some point along his current contract, now is the opportune time. He’s still valuable enough as a player to command a decent return, and there are potential buyers on the market.

The issue for Cincy is that they don’t really have a legitimate second base prospect ready to supplant Philips. Billy Hamilton could play there, but one can’t yet say for sure if that’s an all-around upgrade.